The 1986 Chernobyl disaster remains one of the most catastrophic nuclear accidents in history, instigating many questions decades later, including what it was like living in Pripyat before the explosion.

This location became a ghost town after the accident, built in the early 1980s to house plant workers and their families. Photographs from that time reveal a vibrant, modern town with winter scenes and daily life moments. Rare images from this period provide a glimpse into what was abruptly lost after the nuclear power plant exploded.

These 16 rare photos were found on Reddit and help us understand the stark contrast between life before and after the disaster.